Chevrolet built the Bolt EV. But the lineup, somewhat confusingly, also featured the Volt. How to categorize the Volt was contentious — at least if you happen to be dragooned at a dinner with car journalists and engineers.
GM marketed the Volt as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV). It ran on battery power and used the gasoline engine as a generator, similar to the technology proposed for the Ram 1500 Ramcharger and Scout EV — but in a compact car. Media outlets insisted on calling it a plug-in hybrid, as the gasoline engine was not decoupled entirely from the wheels.
The PHEV moniker may work well enough for most buyers. The Volt was a hybrid that used both battery and gasoline power. And you plugged it in to charge the battery. And it was a very good one. The Volt delivered more EV range than a Toyota Prius Prime, up to 53 miles in the second generation, and it was nicer to drive.
GM discontinued the Volt after the 2019 model year, adding to the illustrious list of GM ideas that were a decade ahead of their time and abandoned too quickly for not being immediately profitable. But the Volt can still be a compelling used option. The Volt’s tech remains competitive with what’s on the PHEV market now. And you can score a decent used one for less than half the price of a new “affordable” PHEV.
Photo by: InsideEVs
There are two Chevrolet Volt generations
Chevy built first-generation Volts for the 2011-15 model years. They had a 16.4 kWh battery pack at launch and offered 38 miles of EV range when new. It sat four passengers; GM packed the batteries into a central tunnel. And it required premium gasoline.
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The second generation Volt debuted for the 2016 model year and ended production in 2019. It improved on the first edition. The updated Volt packed a larger 18 kWh battery pack, offering 53 miles of EV range while shedding significant weight. It had a nominal fifth seat and could use regular gasoline. It also added smartphone projection for Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
How much does a used Chevrolet Volt cost?
First-generation Volts typically run for about $4,000 to $10,000, depending on the mileage and vintage. Second-generation Volts are a bit more expensive (though still affordable in the PHEV realm), costing between $12,000 and $19,000. A rare unicorn of a Volt with low mileage might exceed $20,000. Every used Chevrolet Volt should be under the $25,000 threshold to qualify for the used EV tax credit.
Are there any known issues to worry about with a used Chevrolet Volt?
Common complaints about the Chevrolet Volt relate to battery and electrical issues. The NHTSA investigated second-generation Chevrolet Volts for faulty battery electric control modules after more than 60 complaints. Owners reported Volts abruptly losing power on the road or being unable to restart. The Volt was also among several GM vehicles that exhibited an issue with shifting to park that required repair.
A Volt won’t be as easy to repair as a 6.2-liter V8 Silverado. The Volt left production in 2019. GM didn’t use its hybrid tech in other vehicles. GM, until very recently, swore off using hybrids entirely. The only hybrid GM currently offers is the Corvette E-Ray. Chevrolet dealers are plentiful. But parts and technicians that still know how to work on Volts may be at a premium.
Volts also don’t charge as quickly by modern EV standards. Volts cannot DC fast charge. In the 2019 model year, Volts received the option for a quicker 7.2 kW AC charger. However, most Volts will require more than four hours on a Level 2 home charger or more than 13 hours on a standard Level 1 outlet to receive a full charge.
Do used Chevrolet Volts have battery degradation?
Battery degradation should not be too much of an issue with a used Chevrolet Volt. All lithium-ion batteries lose capacity over time. But GM engineered the Volt’s batteries to help mitigate that. The Volt had extra unused capacity and software prevented the battery from holding too high or low states of charge. A liquid thermal management system limits temperature extremes. And owners could not damage the battery with frequent fast charging since the Volt could not fast charge.
Degradation is also less of an issue for a PHEV or EREV than a full EV. A second-generation Volt that has lost 20 percent of its capacity would have the gasoline generator kick in after 43 miles instead of 53 miles and still be quite serviceable.
Do used Chevrolet Volts have any warranty coverage?
The Volt left production after the 2019 model year. Bumper-to-bumper warranties have expired on every Volt. Almost every Volt will have had its five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty expire, too. The one warranty still relevant on second-generation Volts will be the eight-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty.
Note that the warranty does not automatically cover a complete battery replacement. GM expects normal wear and tear to diminish the battery capacity by 10-40% over 100,000 miles. A technician decides whether a repair under warranty is required, and the repair only needs to restore the battery capacity up to where it should be for the vehicle’s age and mileage.
